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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

First Napoleonville shining example of God’s handiwork

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer NAPOLEONVILLE, La. (LBM) – First Baptist Church in Napoleonville, which in 2018 lost its worship center and Sunday school space in a fire, celebrated a new chapter in ministry April 11 when members and guests gathered to dedicate its new facility. More than 100 people were on hand for the service to remember how God brought the church out of the fire and into a very bright future. “What was accomplished here was nothing short of a miracle,” Pastor Chuck Chiasson told the Baptist Message. “I believe the fire and the rebuilding program of the last three years will redefine this church for years to come. Through trust in God, prayerful giving and the hard work of our members along with mission groups and other people, God has blessed us and we praise Him for our new facility.” Chiasson said a feeling of helplessness overcame him when he received the call that the church building was burning after lightning strike on Jan. 7, 2018. However, the next morning Chiasson was heartened when he began receiving calls from so many people offering help as well as encouragement. He soon discovered insurance would cover only half of the estimated $1 million needed to rebuild the … [Read more...]

The SBC truly ‘exists’ only two days per year

By Don F. Mabry ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM)--Each year in June, the Southern Baptist Convention holds an annual meeting -- in recent years beginning on the second Tuesday in June and closing the next day. This schedule highlights the reality of the nature of the SBC: It only exists two days every year. During the other 363 days, the SBC Constitution assigns specific duties to the officers, boards, institutions, and commissions of the Convention to conduct the business and execute the budgets approved by the messengers. But, legally, there is no SBC. Indeed, the SBC truly is not a denomination but in effect is merely a meeting, a gathering akin to the conventions held every four years by the two major political parties – a mix of rally and business. While millions of people refer to themselves as Southern Baptists, the truth is that churches are not members of the SBC and most members of these churches are not members of the SBC. According to Article III of the SBC Constitution, “The Convention shall consist of messengers who are members of Baptist churches in cooperation with the Convention.”  This founding document specifies what constitutes a cooperating church and explains how many messengers each cooperating church … [Read more...]

LC students, faculty awarded top regional, national journalism honors

By Staff PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Three Louisiana College journalism students were recognized for their work in the Southeast Journalism Best of the South Competition for 2021. Alena Noakes, Kylei Cornelison and Joel Thompson competed against 45 colleges and universities. Noakes took second in press photography; Cornelison finished 14th in feature writing and seventh in op-ed writing and Thompson was fifth in op-ed writing. Noakes and Cornelison won in the Society of Professional Journalists Region 12 Mark of Excellence. Noakes won in feature and general news photography and was finalists in editorial writing while Cornelison was a finalist in podcast. Winners in each category go on to compete in the national competition. Even though the National Federation of Press Women Communication Contest 2020 awards ceremony was postponed due to COVID-19, LC still earned three awards in the at-large contest. In the professional category, faculty members Elizabeth Clarke and Brian Manuel as well as students Jerry Clark and Noakes took second for their investigative podcast series “Telling Lives: Cold Cases in a True Way.” Thompson placed first in collegiate op-ed writing, and Noakes placed first in collegiate photography. … [Read more...]

Fire heavily damages Trinity Fellowship Hall

By Baptist Message staff PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – A fire heavily damaged the fellowship hall at Trinity Baptist Church in Pineville Sunday evening, April 18. According to Pastor Kevin Roberts, he and other church members were visiting in the parking lot at 8:30 p.m. when they noticed smoke coming from the roof of the building. Fire crews from Alpine, Kolin, Holiday Village and Pineville were on the scene four minutes after Roberts and other church members called 911. The cause of the fire was still under investigation Monday morning, April 19. He asked for continued prayers as they determine what to do next. “We are very grateful no one was inside when the fire broke out,” Roberts told the Baptist Message. “Had we not been here when the fire began, it may have jumped to other parts of the campus. We are very grateful we were here and caught it so fast, and that so many fire departments got here as quickly as they did.” … [Read more...]